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June Tour of Duty
July Tour of Duty
By Staff Writer Dennis J. McGowan
Questions submitted this month were introduced by Jackie Griffey, author of RECYCLING HUMANITY, WELCOME LAZARUS and her newest historical-suspense release from Zumaya Publications, MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS. Jackie's first book signing for all three novels will take place at the Hastings store in Jacksonville, AR on September 12th 2003. All are welcome!
My TOUR OF DUTY begins ~~~
1. "Where can I get information on the procedures involved in hunting a missing (legal) Hispanic worker...?"
Your Hispanic worker is Panamanian? Mexican? Colombian, etc.?
The character is being 'hunted'. Why?
If your character is legal and being pursued then something else happened. S/he either committed a felony or is wanted as a material witness.
A. "By the INS people?"
If s/he is '(legal),' we are no longer dealing with the Immigration and Naturalization Service or the United States Border Patrol. The matter would be turned over to local law enforcement or if federal, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or, if appropriate, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
B. "Or the Texas Rangers?"
By the question I assume your setting is Texas and your Hispanic worker is Mexican.
The Texas Rangers are the DPS [Department of Public Safety) for the state of Texas. In point of fact, quite experienced troopers since their requirements specify eight years of law enforcement experience to apply. Nonetheless, Texas Rangers, a.k.a. state troopers with a separate classification, will most likely use the same procedures any investigators assigned to policing any state would exercise and are often called in to provide assistance to all jurisdictions in Texas.
The Texas Rangers are well-respected due to the size of their contingent. There are 140 members of the Texas Rangers of which, 118 are commissioned officers. www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/texas_rangers/
But Texas Rangers, as most law enforcement authorities, have the same procedure for finding a missing person.
Detectives, troopers, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) follow a general procedure which builds a profile of the missing person and leads to finding her or him. A beginning would involve;
Employment History:
Management and coworker contacts. Addresses and phone numbers follow these leads.
Does s/he socialize with any of these people? Same as above.
Has she gone to dinner with her supervisor or coworkers?
Yes, but she found out s/he was married during the entree and left the restaurant. The name and address. Was this the last person or persons to see your missing character.
If, no, what was the supervisor's or coworker's reaction? Did s/he accept the disappointment graciously?
Did s/he stop off after work with the other guys/girls for a drink?
Or was s/he a loner?
Is s/he satisfied with the salary?
Did s/he recently receive a promotion/demotion? Why?
Does s/he have any debts through the company?
Loan through the union? Or co-workers?
Bookie in the local gin mill?
Who was the last person s/he worked next to in the office? Follow your leads.
Residence History
Immediate and extended family, friends contacts. Names and addresses.
Local grocery store, cleaners, drug store, doctor, dentist, barber or hair dresser, bank, church.
Was s/he married? Was the marriage going well? If not, did s/he date? Did s/he date often? Someone in particular? Did anyone know of these dates besides her or him?
Note:
As you can see any of these questions open the doors to several other questions which have to be followed-up and taken to their conclusion. Chances are this would lead to a very interesting story. See what I mean?
2. "I only want to make sure of the procedures so I won't make any mistakes in my novel."
The verisimilitude of your previous novels prove out your research. Thank you for trusting me with your questions, Jackie. Anything further? Please feel free to contact me through my web site.
For those who are wondering whether they should send their questions - - don't wait any longer. Now is the time. Send them to the ReadersRoom2@aol.com.
Play it safe!
Dennis J. McGowan
www.dennisjmcgowan.com
Copyright 2003 by ReadersRoom, LLC. All rights reserved.
